Steelers Blog

The Steelers will be without cornerback Ike Taylor (ankle) for the third straight game when they host the Cincinnati Bengals at Heinz Field on Sunday, and will also be missing fellow corner DeMarcus Van Dyke, who was placed on injured reserve after separating his shoulder against the Cowboys.

There is some good news at the position, though. Cortez Allen is expected to practice this week and play on Sunday after missing the Cowboys game, and Keenan Lewis, who aggravated his hip flexor against the Cowboys, could be limited in practice early in the week but is expected to play.

The team signed veteran corner Justin King to add depth at a position. King, in his fourth season, was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the fourth round in2008 and made 19 starts and played in 35 games over three seasons.

“He has played some time in this league,” said Coach Mike Tomlin. “He is in the building as we speak kind of getting up to speed with what it is we do. He was a short list guy for us. We worked him out a number of weeks ago and have been in pretty good communication with him. He should be a quick study and a guy who fits in quickly around here. We’ll get a sense of what he is capable of doing through the course of the week and maybe he is able to help us in this football game.”

The Steelers could get tackle Mike Adams (ankle) back this week against the Bengals after he has missed three straight games. Adams is scheduled to return to practice and how he performs will dictate his availability.

“We will gauge and watch him during the course of the week in practice in terms of determining whether or not he can help us,” said Tomlin.

Receiver Emmanuel Sanders injured his ribs against the Cowboys, and his status for Sunday’s game is not known at this point.

“He will be monitored and limited in the early part of the week,” said Tomlin. “We’ll gauge how he works if he is able to participate.”